Donated fishing trip treats kids to day on the water
ESPN’s Capt. Marko organizes mini-tournament; Goliath Fishing episode to air in 2026
Nine youths from Valerie’s House were treated with a mini fishing tournament with an ESPN fishing show host earlier this month.
Valerie’s House Communications Manager Justin LaVerdiere said in 2024 during the Caloosa Sportsman Foundation Inshore Benefit, a charity event, someone bid on the Capt. James Marko fishing charter package and donated it to the kids at Valerie’s House.
Marko is a world-famous ESPN fishing show host who grew up in Southwest Florida.
“He took out three of our kids last year. He formed a special bond with our kids –he has experience with loss himself and feels connected to Valerie’s House and our kids. He reached back out to us and had some ideas,” LaVerdiere said, adding that he wanted to reach more than just three kids, which is how the little fishing tournament evolved. “Eventually he pitched the idea of turning that into an episode on ESPN. He surprised us with the information. It was really special.”
Valerie’s House Group and Volunteer Manager Bobbie Santiago said they brought nine youths out with Marko, known as Goliath Fishing on ESPN, on three different boats for the mini-inshore fishing tourney. ESPN recorded the event, as did a news station.
“We went out on the boats — they did some fishing. The total fish count was over 50 fish,” Santiago said. “Twenty-two fish were caught by one kid.”
She said it was a beautiful day out on the water.
All of the youths received a brand new rod and reel.
“Every single one of these kids lost a parent,” Santiago said, adding that many of the kids used to go fishing with their dads. “They were able to make those memories, and also those connections.”
She said they sat down as a team and discussed which kids would benefit the most from the event among 300.
Santiago said they believe they made the right decision with the nine that they chose.
They set sail around 9 a.m., had lunch at Cabbage Key, and returned around 3 p.m.
“It’s a true blessing,” Santiago said of experiencing the day with the kids. “It’s funny because the kids kept asking, ‘Are you having fun. My fun is watching you guys have fun.’ I had to hold back lots of happy tears and definitely let it out on the way home. I have the coolest job in the world.”
Santiago said at first the young anglers were really nervous about the cameras filming them, but then came completely out of their shell.
“The kids are ecstatic,” she said about seeing themselves on ESPN, since the special will run in 2026.
In addition, Marko is going above and beyond and purchased a suite of tickets for a Spring Training game on March 8 — the Twins vs. the Phillies. LaVerdiere said Marko will have a trophy presentation during that game with every child being honored.
“He surprised them on the day of the fishing tournament,” he said of the Spring Training tickets.
Santiago said the cool thing is Marko wants to do the mini tournament every year. She said he gave the kids motivation, “all I need is for you guys to get good grades. A lot of them struggle in school.”
From that conversation, sparked the initiation of tutoring sessions for kids at Valerie’s House.
“All of the kids are excited and open to trying a little bit harder because they have something to work towards,” Santiago said.